Bitter cold, gusty winds to reach Md. by Monday night

CaptionWatch for ice dams that damage gutters

Handout Photo

When snow begins to melt, the water can accumulate at the edge of the roof and refreeze. If it blocks the gutter, the water can slip under the roof and into the attic or walls of your home causing damage that is typically not covered by homeowner's insurance unless you have flood protection. To prevent ice dams, make sure gutters are not blocked by debris or leaves and keep the attic ventilated so snow doesn't melt and refreeze.

When snow begins to melt, the water can accumulate at the edge of the roof and refreeze. If it blocks the gutter, the water can slip under the roof and into the attic or walls of your home causing damage that is typically not covered by homeowner's insurance unless you have flood protection. To prevent ice dams, make sure gutters are not blocked by debris or leaves and keep the attic ventilated so snow doesn't melt and refreeze. (Handout Photo)

Keep flammable items at least 3 feet from space heaters. This includes clothing, bedding, rugs and paper. Don't go to bed or leave the room without turning off the heater. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Consider purchasing an infrared heater, which experts say are less likely to be a fire hazard.

Keep flammable items at least 3 feet from space heaters. This includes clothing, bedding, rugs and paper. Don't go to bed or leave the room without turning off the heater. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Consider purchasing an infrared heater, which experts say are less likely to be a fire hazard. (Tim Boyle, Getty Images)

The day's high came in the morning hours, with Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport reaching 45 degrees around 8-9 a.m. Blustery winds started by 10 a.m., with 20 mph breezes and gusts upward of 30 mph. Temperatures fell to 38 degrees by noon.

Wind chills were expected to reach around freezing by midday and the single digits by the night. A wind chill advisory was in effect across Central Maryland from midnight to 6 p.m. Tuesday.

By early Tuesday morning, air temperatures were expected to plunge to the low single digits, with wind chills as cold as 10-15 degrees below zero. Temperatures Tuesday afternoon were expected to reach only the mid-teens despite sunny skies, with wind gusts as strong as 30 mph keeping wind chills below zero throughout the morning and afternoon.

Temperatures could again fall to the single digits Tuesday night, with wind chills as cold as 5 degrees below zero.

Highs Wednesday were forecast around 30 degrees, with wind chills in the teens and 20s, and then overnight lows in the 20s.

Temperatures could finally rise above freezing again by midday Thursday, with highs around 40 degrees and clouds. A system could bring rain and a wintry mix Thursday into Friday.

Harford County officials warned residents of hypothermia and other dangers in light of record-setting cold temperatures Monday and Tuesday, and there was more concern about the abnormally cold temperatures overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning.

Historic flooding and the coldest temperatures in decades made weather headlines in Baltimore in 2014. Rainfall records were set in April and August, and after a frigid winter, the summer was comfortable and fall cool. The year is expected to be the coolest and wettest here in years.